Editorial: Good riddance to corporal punishment

The expected battle over corporal punishment at Tuesday’s Shelby County Schools board meeting didn’t occur, and the policy was abolished with hardly any discussion on keeping it.

With seven of the board’s members absent, the vote was 13-2 to eliminate paddling as part of the new school district’s student disciplinary policy before classes start Monday. It was the right thing to do.

We are disappointed that board members Joe Clayton and Mike Wissman could not let go of an archaic practice that has no place in a modern-day school district.

Data overwhelmingly show that corporal punishment is ineffective as a disciplinary option and actually does more harm to students in terms of academic achievement, completion of schooling and behavioral issues. Also, data show that corporal punishment is disproportionately inflicted on African-American students.

There are numerous other ways to effectively discipline students without whacking them with a strap or paddle, which Reaves pointed out could lead to legal problems for the district. Students can be made to behave without resorting to an act of violence.